Early Detection Markers of Alzheimer's Disease Possibly Identified

Depressive symptoms (SDS) and subjective memory complaint (SMC) could be used as early detection markers of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Eun Hyun Seo, MA, from the National Research Center for Dementia in South Korea, and colleagues performed clinical and neuropsychological assessments of 672 participants to find the association among SMC, SDS, and cognitive function in the elderly from cognitively normal (n=299), pre-mild cognitive impairment (n=106), and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (n=267) groups.

"Early identification of individuals at risk for developing abnormal cognitive changes is critical," Seo said. "Subjective memory complaint and depressive symptoms could be used as early detection markers of Alzheimer's disease."

Study Limitations

Because of the study's cross-sectional design, links between SDS, SMC, and cognitive function were significant, but relatively weak.